In August last year, the Land Transportation Office showed off to the media the new design of Philippine motor vehicle license plates, even committing to their release "by end of September." Of course, typical of our government, 2013 ended without a single screw of the new license plates ever showing up. The authorities were quick to point at issues with the supplier.

Last Saturday, February 22, the Department of Transportation and Communications released the latest announcement regarding the new-design car plates: "The LTO will be able to release the new license plates beginning in late April."

The motoring public "owes" this bit of good news to the fact that the DOTC had already issued a "notice to proceed" to PPI-JKG Philippines, which "won the public bidding conducted by the transport agency last year for the five-year contract to supply 5,236,439 pairs of motor vehicle plates and 9,968,017 pairs of motorcycle plates to the Land Transportation Office."

According to the DOTC, "PPI-JKG will need one-and-a-half months from the last week of February to manufacture the first set of plates, which will be distributed to the LTO's district offices across the country."

"These standardized plates will eventually phase out the nine different designs currently in use starting from 1981," the DOTC said in its press statement. "Private MV plates will sport a new black-and-white design, similar to those in use in most countries around the world. For-hire or PUV plates will retain the black-and-yellow scheme. The new plates will have tamper-resistant locks and screws that will permanently attach the plates to the MV or MC. This will prevent their transfer from one vehicle to another, which is done in perpetrating crimes such as carnapping and in operating colorum PUVs."

The DOTC added that "a third-plate windshield sticker will replace the current sticker that is renewed during annual registration, and will indicate the vehicle's license plate number."

Well, let's just hope this is really it. We also hope the plates won't have manufacturing defects (which is likely to happen considering the supplier will be working under severe time pressure). Mark your calendars, guys. In the meantime, why don't you take the poll below?

Are you optimistic the new license plates will be released by late April?

@Cyverwin, if you want the X1 you already have a winner for yourself, since the X1 is a good product from BMW and the XV is also a good product too that also has plenty of goodies to start, afterall, it's brand preference and what you really like.

one.edchelle:

It's been awhile since I last messaged here! woohooo! Anyway, I love the new Civic RS Turbo

quick question...if the car i bought do not get the said km/l or fuel economy advertised by the company, is it a valid ground for fraud? and should companies be fined if they wrongfully advertise false claims such as fuel economy?

kalyeng2016:

Hi Topgear, where can I post road-relevant topics?

philmerc:

where are your forums now? Cant find on this site?

cocoa147:

Hello
Good Day
I'm an avid fan of Top Gear ever since and thanks to you guys I always get updated on what's the latest trends about automotive and etc.
I got a problem and I thought you could help me on this one. I did some research but I just wanted to hear it from the best. The ABS warning light is always turned on even while driving. The question/s 1.) Is that normal? 2.) Would other components be affected if ABS warning light were on even while driving? 3.) Does it cost much?
I'

grayt168:

Hi Top Gear, I'm looking to buy a Crossover or SUV. My budget is around 1M. Criteria is durability, low maintenance and fuel efficiency. Kindly suggest options. Should I just wait for Honda W-RV?

Springman:

Hi Top Gear. I'm looking for a hatchback car for my college kid. My budget is 600k. I'm thinking of getting Mitsubishi Mirage but if you can recommend a better one then I would really appreciate it. I don't really know much about cars, that's why I went here. Thanks!